L.A. heat: Temperatures will reach 90s, break records

Bill Miers of Bellingham, Wash., snaps a photo outside Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles on Friday. High-temperature records fell across Southern California on Friday and the region could see more record highs over the weekend. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles TImes)

Get your beach towels and swimsuits ready because forecasters say Friday is going to be steaming hot.

Forecasters are expecting temperatures to hit the 90s in downtown Los Angeles as a high-pressure system moves across Ventura and L.A. counties, breaking heat records along the way, according to the National Weather Service.

The heat wave will last through the weekend and could break records on Sunday, when the Los Angeles Marathon is being run.

Meanwhile, forecasters warn that Santa Ana winds with gusts up to 50 mph will kick up Friday morning.

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With temperatures 20 degrees above normal, the heat this weekend will break records that have stood for nearly 64 years, said meteorologist Stuart Seto.

"These are record-breaking temperatures," he said, "some of the hottest temperatures."

Temperatures broke records for the date on Thursday.

The thermometer hit 86 degrees in Oxnard, breaking the old record of 84 set in 2007. In Camarillo, the temperature reached 89, six degrees warmer than the previous high, also in 2007.

Seto warned that the heat could strain the power grid and outages were possible. It also could pose health risks for those active and outdoors.

Because temperatures are expected to climb, L.A. Marathon organizers pushed up the start time for Sunday's race by 30 minutes.

At the time the marathon starts at 6:55 a.m., temperatures are expected to be in the 60s. As runners make it to Santa Monica, the ocean breeze will provide little relief. The temperature is expected reach 80 degrees by noon.

During the race, runners will have access to air-conditioned buses where they can cool off and misting stations stocked with ice and cold towels.

By Monday afternoon, temperatures will drop and cooler weather will follow.